It was February 1993, the last time the UCLA men's basketball team traveled to Pullman, Wash., and came away with anything other than a win. Freshman Shabazz Muhammad, the Bruins' leading scorer this season, was nine months from being born. Kyle Anderson, a freshman who is UCLA's leading rebounder, was born seven months after that loss. "Wow," said Jordan Adams, who was born 17 months after the 67-56 loss. "That's a long time ago. " There have been 19 games since, and UCLA has won every one of them.

These Bulldogs are no longer underdogs. Gonzaga University's basketball team on Monday rose to No. 1 for the first time in school history. Gonzaga topped the weekly USA Today coaches' poll, earning 29 first-place votes. Indiana is second, followed by Kansas, Duke and Georgetown. Rounding out the top 10 are Louisville at No. 6 followed by Miami, Michigan, Florida and Kansas State. UCLA, despite defeating Arizona for a second time, still can't crack the coaches' top 25. The Bruins rank second this week among “others receiving votes,” right behind Middle Tennessee.

USC on Saturday VS. ARIZONA STATE When: 12. Where: Galen Center. On the air: TV: FSN; Radio: 710. Records: Arizona State, 20-9, 9-7; USC, 13-15, 8-7. Update: The main concern for any team playing Arizona State is freshman guard Jahii Carson, who is averaging 17.7 points and 5.1 assists a game. He scored 22 against UCLA on Wednesday in an overtime loss. Only one other freshman in college basketball over the last 16 years has averaged 17 points and five assists - Ben Woodside of North Dakota State.

Nothing comes easily for UCLA this season. But slowly, it seems to be coming. The Bruins have had injuries, NCAA investigations, intense scrutiny on a Shabazz Muhammad birthday present from his mom (Gucci backpack) and occasional carping from an UCLA alum (Bill Walton). Yet, here the Bruins sit with three games left, tied for first place. UCLA got there the hard way, laboring through a 79-74 overtime victory over Arizona State on Wednesday at Pauley Pavilion. The victory left the Bruins (21-7, 11-4)

It was this kind of day for the USC basketball team. When the ubiquitous "fan cam" was used for the first time at the Galen Center, the first fan shown was wearing UCLA blue and holding up a No. 1 finger. At least we know the camera operator is honest. The loudest, and only, ovation from the home crowd came when the Trojans' NCAA men's water polo champions were introduced. "Can they suit up and play basketball?" a fan muttered. On an afternoon when USC was beaten badly in every part of the game, the Trojans lost to UCLA, 75-59, on Sunday.

UCLA-USC TODAY When: 12:30 p.m. Where: Galen Center. On the air: TV: Fox Sports Net; Radio: 570, 690. Records: UCLA 19-7, 9-4 Pac-12; Trojans 12-14, 7-6 Pac-12. Update: A UCLA victory would leave the Bruins tied for first place in the Pac-12. Getting it will be a tall order against USC centers Dewayne Dedmon (7 feet) and Omar Oraby (7-2). The Bruins have been outrebounded in all but two Pac-12 games this season. USC had a 44-36 rebounding edge in a 75-71 overtime victory at Pauley Pavilion last month.